Susan Gasson, 75, from Greenwich has survived four cancers over about 40 years: breast, cervical, thyroid and lung. A persistent cough in 2020 revealed a lung tumour; after surgery, chemo and radiotherapy the cancer returned and a biopsy found a HER2 mutation. Enrolment in a clinical trial of an oral targeted therapy has shrunk her tumour, allowed her to avoid further chemotherapy and given her a better quality of life. She credits staying busy and positive for her resilience.
Four Cancers Over 40 Years — “I’m Lucky To Be Alive”: How a Targeted Trial Gave Susan Gasson New Hope
Susan says the clinical trial has allowed her to have "a much better quality of life" [PA/Submitted]
Susan Gasson, 75, of Greenwich in south‑east London, has survived four separate cancers over about 40 years: breast, cervical, thyroid and lung. A persistent cough in 2020 led to an X‑ray that revealed a mass, and what followed was a lung cancer diagnosis and major surgery. After the disease returned despite chemotherapy and radiotherapy, a robotic biopsy found a HER2 gene mutation and she was enrolled on a clinical trial of an oral targeted therapy.
Treatment, Trial and Quality of Life
Most of Susan’s care has been at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Surgeons removed a large portion of one lung and a section of her windpipe—an operation she describes as more painful and debilitating than previous procedures. She then underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but follow‑up checks showed the cancer had recurred.
Susan says keeping busy and travelling has helped her through four diagnoses [PA/Submitted]
After a biopsy confirmed a HER2 mutation, she became eligible for a clinical trial testing a targeted oral drug taken as a single tablet each day. Since starting the trial, her tumour has shrunk, she has avoided further chemotherapy, and she attends CT scans every six weeks. Susan reports minimal side effects and a noticeably better quality of life.
“I feel lucky to still be here,” she said. “I get to watch my grandchildren grow up.”
Four Decades Of Resilience
Susan’s cancer story stretches back to the early 1980s. While living in Hertfordshire in her early 30s she found a pea‑sized lump in her right breast and had a lumpectomy at the Marsden. A few years later, heavy periods and anaemia led to the discovery of fibroids; a mid‑1980s hysterectomy revealed precancerous cells related to the cervix.
Susan celebrated her granddaughter's 18th birthday, one of the milestones she says the trial has let her see [PA/Submitted]
In 1996, while her mother was being treated for thyroid cancer, Susan found a lump in her neck. Initially suspected to be close to the carotid artery, it was diagnosed as thyroid cancer. Her thyroid was removed at the Marsden’s Chelsea site and she received further treatment at its Sutton site.
Because several family members had cancer, Susan underwent genetic testing to investigate Cowden syndrome, a rare inherited condition associated with higher cancer risk; this was ruled out.
Susan with her late second husband, Anthony [PA/Submitted]
Life Beyond Illness
Outside medicine, Susan kept busy: raising children, returning to college in her mid‑30s to study advertising, marketing and public relations, and later travelling with her late second husband Anthony, who lectured on cruises. She remains active in the arts community, involved with the Barbican and serving on the committee of the Guildhall Art Gallery.
She credits staying positive and keeping occupied with helping her through multiple diagnoses. She was able to see family milestones—such as her granddaughter going to university—thanks to the trial.
Advice: Stay positive and keep busy. Those close to her describe Susan as stubborn, independent, courageous, resilient, selfless and loving.
For further information or to share experiences, readers can contact BBC London at [email protected].
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